College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
6-2023
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Phil Barlow, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Internships provide a multitude of opportunities for students to learn and apply curriculum concepts. Internships are a window providing students with a glimpse of industry standards and practices. For employers, internships can provide value in the form of assistance with documentation, providing a fresh pair of eyes, and providing potential hires. That being said, currently there is no common set of internship standards, producing varying results for interns. The purpose of this research paper is to provide a professional blueprint for current and future CM companies to integrate in their internships. Student surveys and industry professional interviews were conducted to gain student input and insight into what employers are expecting from their interns. A key finding within the study demonstrates that students believe communication is the most useful skill to learn in an internship. Interestingly, industry professionals see communication as one of the biggest challenges in an intern’s experience. Communication within the construction industry is something that cannot be practiced in the classroom and comes with industry experience. How can internships adjust to provide students the space to practice communication and improve in other areas? This paper analyzes which elements of an internship can be modified to allow students to leave with an effective internship.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/736
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